Coach gets suspended

Thomasville-- A popular and successful Thomas County football coach is suspended for slapping a student. Thomas County Central Head Coach Ed Pilcher admitted he slapped a student last week.

The student's mother complained and that sparked an investigation. The superintendent suspended Pilcher for five days without pay.

As head football coach, Pilcher led the TCC Yellow Jackets to five state championship titles.

Thomas County School Superintendent Larry Green commented, "I know that the teacher has been remorseful, he's apologized to the parents and to the students. He understands that it was a mistake, it should not have happened, and we're sure that it will not happen again."

The incident happened a week ago in a P.E. Class at Thomas County Central. The mother of a freshman told investigators that her son was horsing around with some other students. Pilcher got upset and suggested they slap box. The student said he didn't know what that meant, so Pilcher slapped him in the face.